First sentence: "How can I help?" The world stilled. It wasn't the first time I wondered how one voice, one presence, could quicken the air and simultaneously stop all motion. Nathan.

Premise/plot: Mary Davies is struggling at work. She's not loving her new boss or the new style of doing business. (She's an engineer.) So it doesn't take a lot of persuasion to get Mary to take a trip with her best friend, Isabel Dwyer. The trip is to Bath, to Braithwaite House. Dressing up in Regency-era clothes is part of the trip, and, Mary is nervous but happy to escape from the real world for a week or two. But her friend's escape is a little too literal. A psychological breakdown has Isabel convinced she *is* Emma Woodhouse. (All the guests have assumed roles from Austen's novels.) Nathan, whom she knows from work, whom she's crushed on for almost a year, flies over to help her take care of her friend. The vacation doesn't go as planned; but all the characters gain new perspectives. Mary will come to see herself, her friend, and Nathan from a much-needed new perspective. Mary has spent most of her life as "sidekick" or SK. She's never been a "heroine." But who's holding her back? Is it Isabel and their unhealthy friendship spanning decades? Or is it herself?

My thoughts: Though published by a Christian publisher, The Austen Escape isn't heavy on anything spiritual. Far from it. It is for anyone and everyone who enjoys Jane Austen. Perhaps for those that enjoyed Shannon Hale's Austenland or Midnight in Austenland. It is a clean, contemporary romance. Isabel falls for a guy over vacation, as does Mary. (Though Mary knew Nathan from before.) The characters like to socially drink alcohol and go to bars, etc.

What makes a book "Christian"? Is it a matter of who is publishing it? Is it a matter of the author's faith? Is it a matter of content and themes? Mary does learn a bit about forgiveness and new starts in this one. Mary also begins to deal with her grief. But there is nothing of spiritual substance in this one. For better or worse. Nothing preaching. Nothing moralizing. The great lessons learned have little to do with discussion of God, of faith, of church, of Scripture.

I did enjoy it. I do love Jane Austen. I enjoyed exploring the incredibly complex friendship between Mary and Isabel. The romance was nice--predictable but nice.

Katherine Reay pretty much became a must read for me after I devoured her first book, Dear Mr. Knightley. She followed up her amazing debut with a string of books and I've liked them all (you can read some of my reviews of her other books HERE). Her latest is no exception and I almost feel like she's a modern Jane Austen herself! There is something about the way Katherine Reay writes her characters that is always magical to me - she is good at it that I've pretty much fallen in love with all of them. Mary Davies is another such character - I was immediately rooting for her while intensely understanding her. I think that is Ms. Reay's greatest gift - empathy -I am always drawn to and drawn in by her characters and I think and feel along with them in every word.

Austen really had a thing against Marys. I'd met Mary Bennet first. Then came Mary Crawford from Mansfield Park. She initially misled me. She had all the wit and vivacity of a Lizzy Bennet, but it took me time to catch on. She had none of the wisdom -- no discretion. And she got not happy ending. And now Mary Elliot . . . We Marys weren't a kind and gentle lot. We didn't grow. We didn't change. We didn't get redeemed.

Both of these books have Austen in the title but only one involves an MC obsessed with Jane from the very beginning - in a way, both of the MCs of these books are trying to throw off Jane at all directions and end up more immersed than ever. Both The Austen Escape and Lies Jane Austen Told Me will be released next week on November 7, 2017, and I would definitely recommend reading some Katherine Reay, I've loved everything she's written including this one!!

The Austen Escape is the first book I've read by Katherine Reay but it makes me want to read more and more! It felt like a romcom in the written form and it was just so entertaining. As you delve into the book, you become so attached to the characters that they seem so real - as if I knew them personally. I knew there was trouble coming in their lives and yet the humor that it added to the story brought out quite a few chuckles out of me. I was so invested in their story that when they were in trouble, I actually had a heavy heart as I read. I related so much to Mary because the way she feels about Isabel is something I've experienced so many times and I couldn't help nodding along as she narrated how she felt.

I enjoyed this story. While it had some far-fetched elements, it was a clever intertwining of Austen classics with a modern sensibility. The underlying story was very diverse in its plot line....was it a romance, was it a story of female friendship, was it a self-discovery odyssey....I would say a little bit of all three with some whimsy for good measure. And yes, at times, it may have tipped over into convoluted, but in the end, it was a satisfying read, since I happen to be an Austen fan, quite a fun visit through her work. Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC!

If you have ever wish to experience to be in the world of Austen, this is the book for you. I haven't read any of Austen's books but I have always admired them, especially the intricate ways that the books were written.

I'd say that this book was short, fun and historical — to be able to step into the world and be a part of it, it sounds magical and joyful. I like how the author has mixed the story from historical with the modern life. It shows how drastically apart our lives can be if we are a part in it.

The Austen Escape, by Katherine Reay
🦇🦇1/2 (out of 5)
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I know, I know; I chose to read it, but how many Austen-based novels does the world need?
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Mary's gently blackmailed into going on a Jane Austen vacation in Bath with her best friend (in name only) Isabel. She's also taking a break from some tension at her tech company, where there's a rising conflict between talent and management. Oh yeah, and there's a guy she likes and she's kinda beating feet on that too.
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At the manor, Isabel suffers some sort of mental break and now she thinks SHE'S an Austen character. She's had a dissociative episode before, in her teens; rather than instruct Isabel to get to a hospital immediately, her doctor's like, "naw, let's see what happens." That's ... that's bad medicine.
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Because of hijinks and author interference, the guy Mary likes, Nathan, shows up, and obviously Mary thinks he's hot for Isabel. Within two days, though, Mary and Nathan are talking about how much they love each other; p.s. Isabel still thinks she lives in the Regency period, hahahahahaha.
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I found this book to be problematic in its treatment of mental health issues, as well as its unrealistic attitude toward love. There's no mention of Isabel's recovery process (she does come out of her fugue state) and the characters around her don't seem too concerned that she had a pretty serious medical issue. "She's better, bye!" is the extent of that.
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Also, I think two people who nursed crushes on each other for a year and then talk to each other for a couple days and exchange L-words are NOT the best example of true love. It's very teeny-bopper in its expectations, and I couldn't look past that.
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I liked the proprietor of the Austen-ish estate, and the author's defense of Catherine Moreland, who gets overlooked all too often when Austen's characters come up; Northanger Abbey is my favorite, and tbh I don't love Lizzy Bennett like most fans seem to.
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Given my criticisms, you might think I didn't like this book, but here's the thing: I DID. The writing's engaging and the story is fast-moving, and I read it in a couple of hours.
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All told, if you're looking for something to do on a rainy afternoon, you could do worse than reading this book.

I received this book as a digital arc from netgalley.
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#books #bookreview #bookstagram #reader #reading

The narrative began in a way which I found somewhat incoherent and confusing, but I persevered and things did improve. I ever felt fully immersed in the narrative style and nor did I feel I fully understood the characters. I was fairly relieved to have finished this and perhaps should not have read a book because I love Austen. Surely, I could only be disappointed?

The Austen Escape is a contemporary romance that gets to play with the contemporary timeline by having the main character and her best friend attend a Jane Austen resort in Bath. They wear period clothes, engage in period appropriate activities of teas and carriage rides, and get to frequently refer to Jane Austen characters, conversations, and manners.

In the midst of this delightful getaway, the friend of the main character, Mary Davies, has a stress episode and becomes immersed in the Jane Austen character that she selected. The friend can't recall that she's Isabel from modern life but thinks that she's actually Emma. Due to the confusion, Mary is forced to explore the truth about her friend, Isabel, and about Mary's views on her job and a co-worker.

The setting of The Austen Escape is fun, the peripheral characters are an entertaining crowd, and the Jane Austen references are plentiful.

The Austen Escape is a wonderful diversion of a book!

This was a delightful read! A clean contemporary romance with an Austen take.

I enjoyed the cute company WATT and Marys character very much.

The galley copy of this was a bit hard to follow some diaglogue.

If you like Jane Austen, romance, and some nerdy main characters, this book is for you!

This is the third book I’ve read by Katherine Reay. She is a gifted crafter. The references to Jane Austen and her writings throughout her story give her books a unique and interesting spin.

The Austen Escape contains beautiful descriptions of England, making me feel as if I traveled there with Mary and Isbell on their holiday. I related well to most of the characters in this book, and enjoyed the weave of Austen-classic threads throughout.

I love how the past weaves with the present, I enjoyed the dialogue, and related to most of the characters, but I wasn’t quickly drawn into this story. It took a bit to sink into the storyline. For me, the story really started in England. This story has a satisfying end, but I have to say, I enjoyed Ms. Reay’s previous books more than this one.

Cover: Like it
Title: Love it
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Pages: 320
First Lines: “How can I help?” The world stilled. It wasn’t the first time I wondered how one voice, one presence, could quicken the air and simultaneously stop all motion.

I received a complimentary copy from Booklook and NetGalley.

Mary Davies may be a well-educated adult with an excellent career, but that doesn't mean she has truly come of age. When her best friend, Isabel, invites Mary to join her on a two week vacation to Bath for an immersive Jane Austen experience, Mary is wary but agrees to go. While staying in a fully restored manor house, Mary and Isabel not only experience a recreated past, but face their own pasts as well.
I really liked Mary Davies. She was a relatable main character and I cared about what happened to her. I also liked that the spirit of Jane Austen was present in the book, but was not oppressive. The Austen Escape is a solid novel, which I truly enjoyed.

I am a sucker for Austen re-imaginings. There is a certain type of comfort that comes with escaping into a world with familiar scenes and characters.

This was my first exposure to Katherine Reay (it won't be the last). I requested this title on Netgalley simply based on the title. And the cover- what a fun cover!

This is a fun, quick and charming read. I loved the mix of traditional Austen with a modern twist. There was just enough romance. You may need to suspend reality, but Janeites will appreciate the light, carefree structure. Even those non-Austen fans will enjoy the adventure.

3.5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read an ARC and give an honest revie

For Austen fans, this is an enjoyable read. You don't need to know the story lines and characters in Jane Austen novels, but you probably want to go back and read them. This has a clever plot line and the main characters have an interesting relationship that is ultimately revealed.

After reading Austenland, I kind of expected the same kind of book. Girl goes to bath, experiences the immersiveness of Austen's works and makes drastic life change. However, this book touches on childhood struggle, reality, and even a little mental illness (although not completely). There were some parts I felt jumped around a bit, but on the whole, I found a new respect for Austen. Those who are not familiar with her works will not be lost as a lot is explained.

For lovers of Austen or readers who are new to her, The Austen Escape by Katherine Reay is a wonderful introduction to those who love Austen's work and what we can all learn from it. Very enjoyable to have a main female character who is an engineer at a start-up in Austin, Texas. Mary Davies goes to the Austen Experience with her friend Isabel during a time of change at work and it kicks off a lot of changes for both of them.
There is a lot of discussion of Jane Austen's novels and characters in this book. I chose not to draw parallels between her work and characters, though you'll definitely see them throughout. It was a great introduction to Reay's work for me and I will happily recommend and read more of her books.

This was a nice twist on Jane Austen's stories. The modern day blurred with the historic Austen made for an enjoyable read. This is my first book written by Katherine Reay and I was pulled in by her writing style, it was relaxed, warm, and flowed from the pages. Her characters were complex and fully realized. This was a truly wonderful "Escape" for me! I enjoyed Katherine's writing so much I am looking into her other books.

Is it fair to say that since I enjoyed "Dear Mr Knightley" I was primed and ready and expected to love "The Austen Escape" too? Because I did.

It was a delightful confection, full of Austen references and wit; with themes of betrayal, friendship, belonging, family ties and (of course) courtship/relationships.

I loved this novel and devoured it in one afternoon. If you haven't read Dear Mr Knightley yet, buy that title too and enjoy both in a smorgasbord of Austen themed writing.

With many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my ARC.

"True escapism is hidden."

If books do indeed keep us warm, then The Austen Escape is a cozy blanket on a rainy Sunday. I loved every inch of this story! It was the perfect blend of friendship, romance, and Jane Austen. Best friends Mary and Isabel embark on a trip to the land of Jane Austen where they find their friendship challenged by a shared history and an uncertain future, unexpected romance, and career growth and change. Such an enjoyable story I was simultaneously torn between devouring it and not wanting it to end. I devoured it.

Mary Davies is a little nerdy when it comes to engineering, but she loves her job and creating things. She’s also a little insecure—both in her job due to a new manager and in the potential relationship. When her best friend since second grade invites, then forces, her on a trip to Bath, England, Mary has no idea what she’s in for.
Yes, she’s aware this in an Austenland-eque adventure. She’ll be required to dress up, attend dinners and balls, spend time in the country. What she doesn’t count on is having to care for her friend who believes she’s truly living during the Regency era.
Katherine Reay has done it again. With a story immersed in all things Austen, she manages to not only bring readers along on this adventure in bath but to examine so much more. Her characters are rich and rounded, people you’d want to hang out with. The setting and descriptions are warm and inviting. I felt like I was along for this vacation at the Braithwaite House.
This book, at it’s core, is about relationships. Those with potential; those that have survived the hardest trials in life and survived; and those that have taken a turn and are in their final stages. It’s about finding our truest selves and not hiding from those memories where heartache is entwined with happiness.
If you’re an Austen fan, if you’re struggling in a relationship, if you need an escape, or if you love an well written, engaging, and robust story, The Austen Escape is a must-read.
***I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.